A JAPANESE LACQUERED WOOD SUZURIBAKO (WRITING BOX)

A JAPANESE LACQUERED WOOD SUZURIBAKO (WRITING BOX)

MEIJI ERA, 19TH CENTURY

Of tall rectangular shape with two drawers to the front, the top opening to reveal an inner tray with two ink stones, a brush, and a butterfly-shaped suiteki; the box decorated in red, gold and silver hiramakie, takamakie and nashiji, the top with a minogame underneath pines and two cranes flying above, the sides with flowering branches and auspicious symbols, the interior of the lid with a large sake jar, 16cm x 14cm x 24.3cm. (7)

Provenance: from the collection of Dr E Lionel Pavlo (1906-89), and thence by descent. Dr Pavlo was an American civil engineer who designed and built many bridges and other structures around the world. His works include the Dwight D Eisenhower Tunnel in Colorado, the John F Kennedy Memorial Bridge in Nigeria, and the Commodore Barry Bridge across the Delaware River.